Immigration officer: So you are going to Norway?

Me: No Sir, Finland.

Immigration officer: Same thing, na!

Me: No Sir, Finland is different from Norway.

Immigration Officer: Haven’t seen many Indians going to Finland. What’s so special?

Me: There’s a lot to see in Finland like Northern Lights, Santa’s Home, 188,000 lakes and Reindeer Safari among others.

The above conversation affirms how little we know about Finland, the Nordic wonderland sandwiched between Sweden and Russia. But we are in for a change as Finland celebrated its centenary of independence in 2017 with yearlong celebrations. There can’t be a better time than NOW to visit. Before you take off, let me take you on a virtual Arctic Safari of the Arctic nation, whose resident is the most famous resident of the world – Santa Claus.

Here’s a complete Travel Guide on Finland answering why, when, where and what to explore in the land of thousand lakes and midnight sun:

WHY VISIT FINLAND

1) Offbeat yet well organized

Finland is often overlooked for its Scandinavian neighbours, and that’s what makes it an ideal destination for discerning travelers. Queues, jams, and crowds are alien words here. The unspoiled vast expanses of wilderness like no other. Finland might be wild but it is well geared up from all-included-safari style packages to compass-and-map DIY adventures.

2) Natural Wonderland

When I first looked down from my Finnair plane, I saw an endless carpet of forests snuggled under a white blanket, speckled by picture-perfect lakes as if an artist flicked a blue dipped paintbrush on a white canvas. Finnish dreamscapes are a treasure trove for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts like me. You name it and Finland has it – from having some of Europe’s best hiking trails to adrenaline-pumping activities like cross-country skiing to kayaking to glacier walking to Aurora Borealis hunting to Bear-watching.

3) Four distinct seasons

Nature in Finland seems to be a fashion aficionado. Four times a year it changes its wardrobe completely– colour, light, temperature, sounds, and smells. Everything changes mystically in a way that happens nowhere else.

4) Family Friendly

Staying at Holiday Club Resorts Finland, I noticed how conscious Finns are about family well-being – from having separate kids beds to special kids cutlery to Angry Birds Park to personal saunas. Kids are the VIPs in Finland.

Angry Bird Park for kids

5) Finnatastic Education

There is no better place than Finland to expose your kids to world’s best education system, which draws educationalists from around the world to learn its secrets. There are no private schools in Finland. Even the Prime minister’s children in Finland need to enroll in a public school.

Pic by Jussi Hellsten

6) Affordability

One of the reasons why Finland is still not hot on Indian tourists radar is because of being perceived as expensive. But thanks to Club Mahindra, even that barrier has vanished. Enjoy the 100% pure Finnish escapades at INR rates. (Details at the end of the article)

WHEN TO VISIT FINLAND

The country has four distinct seasons that transform the white snowscapes to vibrant colourscapes in just a few months. Temperatures vary considerably from -30°C in winter to +30°C in summer. The best time to visit Finland depends on what you’d like to experience:

For plenty of snow and winter activities, December to March is the best time.

Husky ride in winters. Pic by Hannes Becker

For springtime sun and the revival of nature, April to May is the period.

Kiss the gentle Spring Sun in Finland

For long and warm summer days and plenty of events, June to August is the time

Enjoy the Summer Festivals, Finland

For autumn leaf colour, visit in September-October.

Witness the explosion of colours in forests and fells during Autumn, Finland

The Finland you encounter will depend on the season you visit, but whatever the season, the fresh and pure air will detoxify and rejuvenate you. Like a doting dad, Finland will spoil you with choices. You’ll have countless reasons to enjoy every season.

Here’s an infographic on the seasonal activities you can enjoy in Finland:

WHERE AND WHAT TO EXPLORE

I am guilty of arriving in Finland without going through its highly impressive resume. No wonder, I was left awestruck with its versatility and contrasts. The design capital meets remote Lapland. Nordic style gurus rub shoulders with Reindeer herding Sami. Midnight sun plays musical chair with a perpetual night. Rock festivals compete with majestic Aurora Borealis. Finland’s menu is anything but bland. However, one trip is not enough to taste the entire multi-course meal. You’ll keep craving for more.

Northern Lights show in Lapland, Finland

Finland is best relished through slow travel but stopover holiday is second to none. Just choose your region and enjoy your unforgettable Finnish experience. With a “tip to toe” length of over 1000 kilometers, Finland is divided into four main regions:

When I was a kid, my parents gifted me a snow globe from which snowflakes would fall whenever shaken. I would go off to sleep dreaming to wake up in the snow globe. After decades of waiting, Lapland finally happened.

Oulanka National Park, Finland

The Narnia like the mysterious region is the country’s northernmost province, home of the one and only Santa Claus, midnight sun in the summer and almost guaranteed Northern Lights every night of the winter.

Midnight Sun in Lapland, Finland

I was fortunate to experience the remote wilderness of high fells, hoarfrost-clad forests, arctic adventures of cross-country skiing, reindeer safari, husky safari, snowmobile ride, snow shooing and heart-to-heart conversations with the Sámi, western Europe’s only indigenous people who inhabit the Arctic.

The Sami of Lapland, Finland

Husky Safari in Lapland, Finland

Top 5 things to do in Lapland:

Experience the wilderness of extremes from twilight to the nightless night

Doze off under the Northern lights in a glass Igloo

Go on no ordinary winter’s ride with Huskie or Reindeer

Have you ever written a letter to Santa? Now be his guest and tell him in person

Throw yourself into the local life amid the power of nature and get to know the Sami culture

Lakeland is the largest lake district in Europe. The blue labyrinth of lakes, islands, rivers, and canals is so important in Finland’s culture that it became a part of the identity of the Finnish flag. With over 188,000 lakes it is no secret why Finland is called the land of thousand lakes.

Lakeland has more lakes than land, therefore, it’s a crime not to get out. Per Mikko, my local friend,

Seasons are for couch potatoes. Finns love to stay outdoors in every season – paddle up with their families in summers and go ice-skating or ice fishing in winters. Every Finn has a countryside Lake cottage where their weekends and holidays are spend.

Finnish Cottage life. Pic by Hannu Holopainen

I visited Lakeland when it was a solid mass of ice on which I jumped, skated and did ice fishing. Even -10°C didn’t feel cold. I was just happy walking on the Saimaa Lake, one of the largest lakes in Europe.

Finnish coastline is long and the archipelago off it one of the world’s largest. The Finns love to be close to water almost as much as they love trudging deep into boggy forests picking berries and mushrooms.

Like Lakeland, this region too boasts of wooden summer cottages – decked with saunas – gazing out across the Baltic. The area is best explored by bike, foot or sailing boat/kayak. Island hopping with camping is a great way to experience the area, as is staying in small seaside B&B’s and hostels in old wooden towns like Rauma or Hanko. Unfortunately, this was one area that I couldn’t explore. There’s always the next time.

Top 5 things to do in Coast and Archipelago:

Go island hopping by bicycle in the world’s most beautiful archipelago from Turku to the Aland islands

Helsinki might be the younger sibling to the Scandinavian capitals, but it’s the one that went to art school, enjoys Rock music and works in a cutting-edge studio. The vibrant city of Helsinki is where more than 450 years of history and tradition blend seamlessly with contemporary design and trends.

The Temppeliaukio Church was quarried out of one rock and thanks to its excellent acoustics, it is a popular place for holding concerts

Just as architecture makes Manhattan, people make Helsinki. Not only the climate but even Finns are cool – although a bit quiet and reserved. If you dig deeper you’ll see they are warm, friendly, hospitable and especially honest people.

Helsinki is best discovered by strolling through the thoroughfares or riding a tram. This pocket-sized city hooked me with its unhurried attitude, gourmet food delights, renowned museums, East-meets-west-design cathedrals, flourishing design, and cultural scenes and self-deprecating sense of humour.

Trams are the lifeline of Helsinki

The cozy and compact city is buzzing with life and there’s always something going on in Helsinki every day of the year.

The Helsinki Cathedral is among the most prominent buildings in the city

Top 5 things to do in Helsinki:

Visit the iconic Helsinki Cathedral, Orthodox Church and the Temppeliaukio Church

Walk in Kallio, a neighbourhood full of cool bars, cafes, and boutiques

Shop for local delicacies from the food halls and markets followed by rejuvenation at the neighbourhood Saunas in the city

Take a day trip to Porvoo, Finland’s second oldest city

Go for a picnic in one of the Archipelago islands

The best way to experience the untouched wilderness and culture of Finland is to become a part of it. Hope this Complete Travel Guideon things to do Finland inspires you to travel to Finland!

FINLAND WITH CLUB MAHINDRA

Mahindra Holidays is India’s largest leisure hospitality player, providing unique and memorable family holidays for over 20 years. The company is fully committed to providing holistic family holidays experience to its ever-growing community of 211,000 members through its wide network of 77 resorts (46 Club Mahindra Resorts in India and abroad, and 31 Holiday Club Resorts in Finland, Sweden, and Spain).

Club Mahindra is committed to providing unique and memorable family Holidays at exotic locations in a pocket-friendly budget. Taking this philosophy forward, the company recently acquired Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, and made an exotic destination affordable for Indian families. With this acquisition, Mahindra Holidays is now the world’s largest vacation ownership company, outside of US.

All Club Mahindra members can now enjoy Finnish Holidays through their membership. For Club Mahindra members the accommodation cost in Finland per day per person is between 28 euros to 90 Euros in low season and between 38 to 130 euros in peak season. For non-members, it costs anywhere between 40 euros to 150 euros in low season and from 60 euros and upwards in peak season.

I really want to go to Finland, especially Lapland, but really to see it all! I didn’t even know about half of the places you mentioned in the post, now it makes me want to go even more. I LOVE the graphic of the Four Regions of Finland too!

It seems that Finland shares many similarities to Ontario, Canada with it’s gorgeous seasons, winter wonderland, and the thousands of lakes.You represented Finland so beautiful with your majestic photos. How can you possibly choose what season to visit! I want to visit during every seasonal change. And I grew up staying outdoors in every season. I would love to visit Lapland and Lakeland. Thanks for sharing.

You are right, Canada and Finland are similar in lot of ways. I am so glad you liked the article. Just like you, I too love staying outdoors and absorbing beauty of all four seasons. Hope you get to travel soon to Finland.

BTW i would love to read about your Canada travel experiences. Could you please share some links?

What an awesome post Archana, I love how detailed it is. I hadn’t actually thought of visiting Finland but your post has changed my mind – I’d love to visit during the winter months, your photos are stunning! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Oh. My. Goodness! This post and the amazing photos make me want to move there! Well if it wasn’t for the snow lol….Finland is definitely on my travel/bucket list (in the spring/summer). I bookmarked this post so I could refer to it when I do finally go – such an excellent resource! Oulanka National Park is a must see!

Wow! This post is so detailed. Finland was never in my consideration. Now this makes me want to visit Finland. Specifically Lapland. I would love to know more about your experience with the Sami people.

Haha I love your introduction with the immigrant officer 😀
And I love your post and photos as well – it is just one big beautiful love hymn to Finland. So many detailed tips and information that you give here and it shows excellently the diversity and pure beauty of this amazing country. I still missed Lapland and the Northern lights, need to see this with my own eyes, at least also thankfully because of your inspiration!

I visited Tromso/Norway last year in February and I did exactly the same things. Aurora Borealis was great, unfortunately the dog sledging I had to do it by night (so no photos), but the Sami culture I loved it. I didn’t even know that this ethnic group still exists.

Finland has been on my bucket-list for some time and as you mentioned, it kind of was the perception of how expensive the country was that put me off. And, as a Brit, I don’t get to take advantage of the Club Mahindra offer you mentioned which is a shame considering all the various forms of beauty Finland displays throughout the year. Better start saving those pennies I think!

Thanks for sharing your feedback. It’s really sad you can’t take advantage of the Club Mahindra offer but there’s no harm in checking with them. They have properties across India and Europe. Maybe they have some deal for you. Also, you’ll get benefit of currency exchange 🙂

I really loved my short visit to Helsinki during one of my long layovers in Vantaa Airport. I had a great time walking around and I visited that white cathedral too. I wish I can visit and see the rest of Finland soon too.

You know, I also come from a country that many people refer to as Russia, and we are not! So whenever I hear someone referring to any other country as to smth else, I get very emotional about it.
Thank you for bringing this up. Finland is sooooo amazing and beautiful!

First of all many thanks for stopping by and sharing your comment. And yes, Finland is a very beautiful country, which is so unique and people must know about it. BTW Which is your favourite part in Finland?

My goodness there really is soooo much to see in Finland. So many different landscapes it seems to be a magical country. Especially Lapland in the winter. That is what struck my interest the most. I think I am ready to book my trip to visit Santa and his reindeer, but maybe I will wait for when I have kids. I always had the perception that Finland was expensive like Norway, but it is a relief to hear that it is not. The only thing I fear now is the cold. Time to start building a thick skin! Thank you for a very thorough post about everything Finland has to offer.

Your post is so detailed, it can be almost my guide to visiting finland. I love the place, have heard so much about it that I have been pushing it up my bucket list. The norther lights, the beautiful snow covered landscape, the family friendly places are all so inviting.

After reading this post, I just want to hop on a plane heading to Finland now, and take few month off there just to explore and simply enjoy the Spring and Fall season. I do not mind to visit there in winter also, and view the beautiful Aurora Borealis and do the ice fishing. How amazing it is the beautiful Saimaa Lake actually makes you forget about the cold.

I was in the same boat as you were. But I was really amazed by the beauty and adventure of Finland. It’s one of the most underrated country in Europe. And thanks to Club Mahindra, it isn’t going to be expensive too.

I visited Helsinki in Setember last year. Its a great city though it was starting to get a little cold. I would love to visit the rest of the country though and do some hiking, though maybe a little trip in winter would be great too.

We visited Lapland and now we are inspired to visit Scandinavia again in the summer! All those events and festivals seen really tempting. The Northern Lights, tundra forest, lakes, and winter activities amazed us!
Check out our blog about dog sledding: https://tripblogpost.com/en/dog-sledding-beginners-musher-day/

I have been following your trip on Instagram and am completely enthralled by Lapland. I too, wanna meet Santa :P. I was hoping to catch northern lights through you but well, maybe your next trip – or maybe, mine :). Lovely post.

This is a really fantastic and comprehensive article on Finland! I admittedly have never thought of visiting Finland either, but it looks so incredibly beautiful. Great pictures and great tips for travel, if I ever decide to go I will definitely reference this!

Talk about a wealth of information! It seems you’ve collected everything a new traveller to Finland needs to know, it one, easy-to-read guide – thank you! I didn’t know very much about Finland to begin with, but now I’m wondering how quickly I can plan a trip there!

I absolutely love this post, thank you so much for sharing your fantastic experience of Finland. It’s on my list of countries I plan to visit and you’ve given me all the information I need to plan a great trip there. Well done 🙂

It looks like an absolutely lovely country. I don’t generally share travel stuff, but I did share this to my Facebook page. Perhaps some of my more globetrotting friends will consider going and take back pictures. 🙂